Politics

Hollister council members Monday approved using federal block grant funds to replace or fix sidewalks in lower-income areas of the city.

Hollister council members Monday continued a pursuit of becoming Charter free when it comes to accessing expensive fiber lines.

More than 400 homes had been reported for water violations that include running the precious resource off lawns and on to sidewalks and roads. But four months after Gov. Jerry Brown called for a 25 percent reduction in water use from 2013 levels, no fines for water violations have been issued in Hollister.

Over the years, Hollister resident Bob Martin Del Campo has had the chance to wear a few uniforms: the dress blues and camouflages of the Marines, the camouflage of the Army Reserve, and the purple and orange of FedEx.

The Hollister School District’s superintendent underscored helmet safety following Monday’s fatal accident near Sunnyslope Elementary School and the local skate park.

City Councilwoman Mickie Luna reacted after the fatal accident Monday—involving a bus that struck a boy on a bicycle—by pointing out that many users of the nearby skate park facility neglect to wear helmets, as required by law.

Gavilan College trustees are asking for community input for the next two weeks as they redefine the districts where board representatives are selected.

County Administrative Officer Ray Espinosa hinted during this week's board of supervisors meeting that staff officials are moving ahead on plans to "condense" meeting minutes—detailed descriptions of all happenings at the public gatherings that provide an official record—in favor of summaries and currently existing video archives online.

While receiving an update on the local homeless situation—including a census showing a staggering increase in the local population—some supervisors showed they continue leaning toward using a Southside Road location for a permanent shelter.

San Benito County saw a $2.1 million drop—or a less than 1 percent of the total—in gross agricultural value in 2014 compared to the prior year, according to the most recent crop report approved by county supervisors this week.